Community Case Study for Enhancing Integrated Mental Health Treatment For Asian Americans: A Collaborative Practice Model

Despite the increasing mental health needs of Asian Americans, service utilization remains notably low. This article contends that ethnoreligious identities may contribute to this issue. A community case study highlights primarily Korean and Chinese American Christian therapists and clergy who convened in response to rising mental health demands in their Chicago community. They acknowledged the necessity of addressing clients’ ethnic and religious identities to provide effective care. The article details the successful strategies employed by these professionals, demonstrating their alignment with the collaborative practice model (CPM). A fictional client case study then shows how this community could have coordinated care effectively. The discussion addresses additional factors beyond the CPM that enhanced collaboration, potential challenges, and broader implications for other regional areas, underscoring the importance of integrating cultural and religious considerations in mental health services.